An Image that Teaches Lies

“Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman? Or an image that teaches lies? For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak." Habbakuk 2:18

an image that teaches lies

One such image sprang to the forefront of my thoughts, society's definition of what it means to be beautiful. It's an image that has spread like wildfire throughtout most of the world.

Plastered on just about every billboard and seen constantly on tv is what this world considers a beautiful person.

The message being recieved by millions is that if you don't look like this then you are not beautiful

What a load of crap.

I have personally struggled with my self image for YEARS. I have the highly sought after hourglass figure but it was the bigger version and not a smaller one. I have the beautiful curly hair but it's curls are crazy and unpredictable not soft and perfect. I have a cute face but it's only cute when I smile.

Why did I, and sometimes still do, believe this? I believed those lies that the devil surrounds me with. I would see the photos and shows and ads and tune my ear to that whispering of "you're not good enough"

They're wrong and WAY off base. I AM beautiful and so are you. It's not our physical attributes that define our beauty but who we are on the inside. And what is inside radiates out causing breathtaking beauty. We are like stained glass windows, our true beauty is not ignited until we radiate from the inside out.

We were considered sheep to be slaughtered

Ever have those moments when passages in the bible suddenly make sense and you sit there dumbfounded and mouth gaping.....

('O')

welcome to right now.

I'm doing a study on Paul and his heart for Jesus by Kay Arthur (high recommend her)

I read this verse "Just as it is written, 'For your sake we are being put to death all day long, we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered" Romans 8:36

and then I kept reading...not truly knowing the gravity of the first verse

ok...yeah...being put to death all day, More of Christ, less of me. Carry my cross, put my sinful nature to death

ok.

"We were considered sheep to be slaughtered"

Have you every HEARD a sheep being slaughtered?

No?

You won't. They don't make a sound. You hear a pig being slaughtered a mile away, but you will not hear a sound from a sheep.

And that is how we should be. Trials come, life downpours on us and we are tempted at every turn, but that is why Jesus tells us to place our burdens upon him.

The world will see us go through this life and it's troubles and wonder why we're different. Our trials are no better than theirs, we aren't superhuman, so WHY are we reacting so weirdly? The world should look at us and see that which is not in the world.

Everything is for God's sake and once that is put into a reality in our lives we can gladly bear it because of the love we have for him and the even greater love he has for us.

Do I do this? Not even a little. The phones go crazy at work and I'm the first one huffing and puffing. But that needs to stop.

I pray that day by day, myself and you who are reading this, sees life from a eternal perspective, to see that everything good and bad is for the glory of Christ. And when asked what sets you apart that you have the courage to say

 "My Savior"

sidenote: HOW IN THE HECK DID I MISS THIS IN MY ROMANS 8 STUDY!

geez...

further proof that you can read the bible a million times and get something different and life altering each time

Being a True Christian

“A nominal Christian is content with proving the way of salvation by a crucified Redeemer. But the true Christian loves it, delights in it, glories in it, and shudders at the very thought of glorying in anything else.… Let all your joys flow from the contemplation of his cross.”

— Charles Simeon, quoted by John Piper in
The Roots of Endurance

I strive to be a true Christian. To love God as I should and delight in him every day